Caoimhin Kelleher has warned Gavin Bazunu that he has no intention of handing back the gloves as Ireland goalkeeper.
The Liverpool ace played all four of Ireland’s Nations League games in this window against Ukraine, Scotland and Armenia.
Bazunu was expected to start the 1-0 defeat to Armenia but fractured a rib two days before the game in Yerevan.
The Southampton target has been Stephen Kenny’s No 1 since succeeding Darren Randoph early last year.
And Bazunu hasn’t put a foot wrong, but missed the March friendlies against Belgium and Lithuania after pulling out with an illness.
After withdrawing from this squad in Armenia, he could only look on as Kelleher stepped in again and made it six Ireland starts in-a-row.
That is precisely the run of international form that has prompted the Anfield man to consider whether he should seek a loan move from Liverpool.
Kelleher is leaving that door open after seeing Bazunu thrive while on loan at Portsmouth and Rochdale from Manchester City.
He is planning to speak to Jurgen Klopp in the weeks ahead but of his prolonged run in the Ireland team, Kelleher said: “It’s been a good experience for me.
“Four games in quick succession is nice for me and hopefully I can build on it.
The 23-year-old is disappointed that Ireland only banked four points from the four games.
But he insists the two most recent performances showcase the potential in this squad when they are on song.
Kelleher said: “The last two games have shown that we have quality players.
“When we pull it together and play the right way, we can get the right results and go up against anyone.
“It’s just a shame about the first two matches but hopefully we can get two good results in September (against Scotland and Armenia).”
And on the 1-1 draw with Ukraine, Kelleher continued: “It was a decent result. They are a very good team and coming over here is not easy so it’s a decent result.
“I was happy to make the saves and then Nathan (Collins) got the goal. He’s been unreal these last few games and topped it off with some goal. It was unreal.
“It gave us a good thing to build on but unfortunately we couldn’t hang on. It would have been good to keep it to 1-0 for at least the first 15 minutes of the second half.
“We were just unlucky to concede which kind of killed us. They’re a great side, especially on the ball, they’re not easy to defend against.
“But I think we dealt quite well with the pressure. The back line defended the box brilliantly and for the most part didn’t have many chances in the second half.
“We were disappointed at the end not to get the win, especially when you’ve been 1-0 up. You would always be disappointed.”
But Kelleher added: “The last two games have been quite an improvement on the first two performances.
“We’ve shown this is a great squad and hopefully we can use these two performances to get two good results in September and then see where we are in the group.”
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